Fuel-saving tips

Cargill International has recorded fuel savings of up to 10.25 per cent following the retrofitting of Sistemar CLT propellers to its panamax bulkers Powhatan and Paiute. The savings were calculated from March 1998 against sisterships Peoria and Pequot which retain conventional propellers.

Powhatan and Paiute consume 27.5 t/day of fuel for ballast voyages at 15 knots and 28 t/day when fully loaded at 14 knots, against 30 t/day and 31.2 t/day for the respective voyages with Peoria and Pequot. Following the fitting of CLT propellers on the capesize bulkers Cherokee and Comanche consumption dropped from 58.5 to 52.5 t/day when laden and from 54.4 to 49.5 t/day in ballast.

The shipowner calculates the payback to be around two years, and says the lower fuel consumption makes the vessels more attractive to charterers.